The Taster

I've read many historical books of fiction about WWII in Germany. This one was well written and took a completely different route than most others. It was fascinating reading about the tasters and what they had to go through each day and the horror they felt at maybe dying at any given tasting. The fictional part of this story was well thought out. Each character had a personality that jumped off the page. I loved our heroine, Magda. And the portrayal of Eva Braun was fascinating as well. I really enjoyed this book and could hardly put it down. Well done!

Initially interesting because of the point of view of a taster for Hitler. But this book is so poorly written and edited that I had to force myself to finish it (for the sake of my book club). Plot is loaded with implausible coincidences, seemingly in order to show as many aspects as possible of life in Germany during Hitler's reign (why the work camp, for example? Some random guy, also named Karl, who saves her at a critical moment?) -- much seems distracting and unnecessary. And the big reunion at the end: if you can't see that coming about a mile off, you probably don't read many books.There are also tons of factual contradictions; I'll just tell you about two: 1. the narrator tells her mother she needs to be on a train at noon; three pages later she catches the 5 pm train, without any explanation for the difference. 2. She describes a blue dress on a character; the next day she says the character is "wearing the blue dress from this morning." I wasn't reading that closely, and I knew it was "the blue dress from yesterday."Parts of this are laboriously overwritten -- two pages of lecture to Hitler about why she's going to do what she's going to do? Completely gratuitous and unable to be believed. The major event in her narrative (pulling the trigger) is totally meaningless, since it only advances by about two minutes something she knew was going to happen anyway.Other parts are fatally underwritten, most notably how inconsistent and underdeveloped Magda is as a character. So often, in the face of big events, we only get "what happened" without getting how she is feeling (e.g., leaving home for the first time). And her worldliness and sophistication when she and Karl are discussing their relationship comes out of nowhere for a young woman from a protective home with no previous romantic relationships at all. Unfortunately, I believe this author hasn't the experience of, and is not capable of sufficient empathy with, a woman's perspective and point of view to be writing in a woman's voice -- or even to be writing novels with women as fully dimensional central characters. So I won't be reading any more of his work.

I actually gave this novel a 2.5.I purchased the novel after downloading a sample of the book.In the beginning I enjoyed it but as the novel progressed and more characters were introduced; I felt that many of them to be lackluster with poor character development.Magda in particular. I never felt the emotion that accompanied her hatred of Hitler. She fantasized about killing him but her anger and hatred are not portrayed emotionally by the author.I do give the author credit for depicting what life was like for Hitler's elite.While the Jews were executed and Europe starved, Hitler's elite lived in opulence.I wish the author would have written with more emotion for her characters.I completed the novel because the download was pricey but it was a rather boring read for me.

In 1943, Magda Ritter's parents sent her to live with her aunt and uncle in Bavaria, with the attempt to keep her safe during the Allied bombing of Berlin. But now, in a job she is rather forced to take, her life is even more at risk than ever before. She is assigned to the Berghof, which is Hitler's mountain retreat, as one of several young women tasting his food. This puts Magda in a position to sacrifice her life for the Führer if it should come to that.During this difficult time in history and in her occupation, she developed a love for someone at the time, an SS Captain. More importantly, she is faced with many challenges and gains incredible strength of character. I often read with my heart in my throat as Magda was being trained to taste food, knowing that at any time a single bite could be her last.Reading about the Holocaust is nowhere in my area of interest, but this book came so highly recommended by several friends, and sat in my TBR for months. I am really glad that I finally took the time to listen to this book via Audible. It was very well-written and excellently narrated. The Taster is a sharp combination of history and fiction. It was not graphic when it came to the horrors of that time. Instead the author's portrayal of Magda is more of an emotional story of her experiences.Meanwhile, there was such an intensity in the story when reading of the bombing attacks. I admit to ordinarily treating my Audible listens in a rather casual manner, listening to them between review books. Therefore, I can take much time to complete a read. However, The Taster grabbed me from the very beginning, in effect forcing me to listen to it all the way through in a matter of hours. This is V.S. Alexander's second book, and it was quite a good job. I will most certainly be reading more of his works in the future.

I loved the concept of this book, but was disappointed by its execution. Although the author's writing is technically accurate, I felt nothing and cared about no one. For such heightened events as are described within (without any spoilers), I was surprised at how perfunctory my own reaction was to the wooden way things were described. I read through the end of the novel, but only because I had paid for it and continued to hope that I would feel something. Alas, nothing. The history could have been detailed in a few chapters. A wonderful idea does not a classic make!

I've read another book about the women who tasted Hitlers food which was written much better and held my interest. This one is very simple in structure and rather boring. Wouldnt recommend it

Great concept for a book. Found it to be Mills & Boon in the heart of the Third Reich. To be honest struggled to page 91 and put it on the shelf for another day. Might have improved but I surrendered!

Quite interesting as I didn’t know anything about tasters but the long drawn out love affair and the fact that we already know how Hitler died made it tedious towards the end.

I absolutely loved this book! I am an avid thriller, suspense reader, however I like to occasionally read something completely out of my comfort zone - this book was it! Totally different to my normal choice of book, but this book was fabulous! Loved the story so much, captivating.

Brilliant story line wonderfully written